China has vital duties as rising power

Even if the Chinese economy overtakes the United States as the world's largest in the next 10 years, there will still be an obvious gap between their comprehensive powers and the quality of their economies. So at least for the next two decades, China's strategy should be to play the role of the world's No 2 power.

To do so, China should maintain its win-win cooperation with the US even while defending its own interests. It should properly handle its relations with other countries, too, making them accept its leadership in some fields without creating misgivings about its rise.

From regarding itself as the "Middle Kingdom", the center of the world, China slid down the economic and geopolitical ladder and came to be seen by the international community as a "rebel". Which means China does not have the experience of playing the role of No 2. To build the learning curve, therefore, it needs a clear strategic goal in line with its real position.